Our client is a charity based in the heart of Dalston, with a vision of all local young people having a fair chance to succeed. They deliver an impressive range of employability programmes in schools for young people between the ages of 3 and 24, and they run their own alternative provision school for a small number of learners who have been excluded from mainstream education. Working with a range of groups including some of the hardest to reach in Hackney, they create opportunities for young people to find their talents and thrive.

Their new three–year strategy will see them expand the reach of their work and raise their profile as experts in employability. One of their first priorities is to improve their systems and processes to help with efficiency, and they are looking for a talented finance professional with a strong interest in their work. A personable and enthusiastic finance professional, you will have a passion for their cause, and a drive to make positive change to society, and within their organisation.

The role of the Finance Manager is to act as the organisation's lead financial professional, ensuring that financial planning, controls and compliance, record keeping and reporting are co–ordinated and delivered to the highest standards.

The post holder is responsible for ensuring financial compliance to satisfy funder requirements and annual audits, along with the preparation of finance information for Board of Trustees and School Governors meetings.

Responsibilities:

– Ensure that finances are managed effectively and in compliance with relevant financial regulations and funders – Work with the Chief Executive and Operations Director, alongside budget holders, to prepare and set annual and long–term budgets including revised estimates and identify future changes in funding levels and expenditure needs – Be responsible for producing monthly management accounts and regular reforecasts for the monitoring of the budget for the current financial year, reporting to the Leadership Team and Board of Trustees – Prepare year end accounts including securing appropriate arrangements for annual financial audits and liaising with auditors – Submit their annual returns to the Charity Commission and Companies House – Monitor all banking and case management activity, and conduct regular spot–checks on transactions – Provide ongoing financial management information and reports to the Chief Executive, Board of Trustees and / or Senior Leadership Team to enable effective financial monitoring and the appropriate use of resources – Ensure effective arrangements for the provision of a payroll system for staff, liaising with external payroll agency to ensure accurate and timely completion each month – Update all relevant financial policies and processes including the upkeep of the Financial Procedures Manual – Ensure proper accounting records are kept and control exercised over accounting arrangements – Attend and clerk Trustee Board and Inspired Directions School Board meetings, including taking minutes, recording and following up actions – Provide verbal and written reports as may be required by the Chief Executive and for the Board of Trustees

About you:

– Educated to degree level or equivalent including Higher Apprenticeship – Professional qualification in accountancy / finance – Extensive experience of using and maintaining accounting packages and software – Significant experience of preparing and developing budgets and managing the cash flow of an organisation – Experience of preparing management and end of year accounts – Experience of managing internal and external audits – Experience of managing or contributing to the efficient running of a busy office – Experience of using Quickbooks accounting package – Experience of working in a multi–cultural education or community setting is desirable – Knowledge of SORP, charity law and VAT – Strong skills in financial analysis and risk management – Excellent literacy, numeracy and IT skills – Highly effective administrative and organisational skills

Our client Is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults in its care. They will take every reasonable step to ensure that children, young people and vulnerable adults are protected where otheir staff and associates are involved in the delivery of their work. As an employer, they expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment; and as such an enhanced DBS check will be required and safeguarding training will be provided for the successful candidate.